Where to see cherry blossoms in Ontario this spring
High Park, Toronto | DebraLee Wiseberg
Fragrant, pale red, pink and soft white flowers blossom for a short time in late April and early May on ornamental cherry trees as well as other trees including crab apple, magnolia and plum.
Cherry blossoms are a significant aspect of Japanese culture. They are called “Sakura” and are symbolic of renewal and the fleeting nature of life. The custom of viewing the blossoms is called “Hanami”.
Sakura trees have also come to represent an ongoing bond of friendship between Japan and Canada. Read more about the Sakura Project and where you can practice Hanami with cherry blossoms on full display in Ontario.
Take a look-but-don’t-touch approach to protect these cherished natural attractions. Climbing, hanging from their branches or picking cherry blossoms can damage the trees and impact future enjoyment.
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Cherry blossom season is the definition of spring for many Torontonians with High Park being the most well-known spot to view the flowers. Other cherry blossom locations in and around the city are equally stunning and often less busy, including a small collection on Toronto Island’s Centre Island.
High Park
The grove of cherry blossom Sakura trees along the High Park Trail and around the Grenadier Pond was gifted to Toronto in 1959 from Tokyo’s citizens to Toronto’s citizens for their support of Japanese-Canadian refugees after WWII.
The bond between the two cities and the planting of more Sakura continued for years, and the outcome grew into what is now known as the “Sakura Project.”
Follow the Bloom Prediction online to find out when the Sakura are in full bloom. It’s like something right out of a fairy tale.
Note there is no vehicle access through High Park during the cherry blossom bloom period.
Location: 1873 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Exhibition Place
The canopy of flowering cherry trees on the grounds at Exhibition Place is a treat to witness and will likely be less crowded than High Park.
Cherry trees are located near the Princess Margaret Fountain and just north of the Princes’ Gate.
Location: 100 Princes Boulevard, Toronto
Trinity Bellwoods Park
One of the city’s largest downtown green spaces, Trinity Bellwoods is a popular park for picnickers, dog walkers and local sports events. Of the approximately 400 trees in the park, 70 are Sakura trees. They stand in the south end, providing a stunning scene when in bloom, with the CN Tower in the background.
Location: 790 Queen Street West, Toronto
Edwards Gardens
Adjacent to the Toronto Botanical Garden in North York, Edwards Gardens is a former estate garden that’s now open to the public. Look for the cherry tree blossoms near the water fountain and Edwards Garden courtyard.
Location: 755 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
Fittingly, cherry blossom trees are located around the parking area of Toronto’s Japanese Cultural Centre. The venue hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year.
Location: 6 Garamond Court, Toronto
Kariya Park
Named in honour of Kariya, Mississauga’s sister city in central Japan, Kariya Park is a serene Japanese-inspired garden featuring a pond, boardwalk, pavilion and a beautiful grove of over 300 cherry blossom trees.
Location: 3620 Kariya Drive, Mississauga
Joyce Archdekin Park
During the peak spring blossom season, the trail of cherry trees in Joyce Archdekin Park is stunning. Approximately 70 trees in this park were gifted by Japan as part of the Sakura Project.
Location: Main Street South, Brampton
Centennial Park
With almost 500 trees, Centennial Park is home to the second-largest cherry blossom tree collection in Ontario.
During the spring season, the best spots to see the cherry blossoms in bloom are northeast of the Centennial Park Conservatory and along Rathburn Road and Centennial Park Boulevard.
Location: 256 Centennial Park Road, Etobicoke
Birkdale Ravine
East of downtown Toronto, close to Thomson Memorial Park in Scarborough, the south side of Birkdale Ravine is another great spot to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms. Over 40 trees were gifted from Toronto’s sister city in Japan, Sagamihara.
Location: 1297 Ellesmere Road, Scarborough
Ottawa Region
Visitors to Ottawa in the spring are in for a treat. In addition to the world’s largest tulip festival, the Canadian Tulip Festival which takes place in Commissioners Park in May, there are several spots to admire the ethereal display of cherry blossoms.
A few of the best spots are along the historic Rideau Canal at Laurier Avenue bridge, near the Floral footbridge and towards the Glebe neighbourhood.
Dominion Arboretum
One of Ottawa’s most popular outdoor attractions, the Dominion Arboretum is part of the Central Experimental Farm of Agriculture that covers over 25 hectares between Dow’s Lake and the historic Rideau Canal.
The arboretum and ornamental gardens are free to the public and home to diverse species of plants, trees and bushes including magnolia, crab apple and cherry trees that blossom beautifully along the edge of the garden on Prince of Wales Drive.
Location: Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa
Confederation Park
Located in the downtown core between the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River, Confederation Park is a leafy green space and designated National Historic Site with several monuments and sculptures. There is a small grove of cherry trees on the east side of the park.
Location: Elgin Street, Ottawa
Major’s Hill Park
Next to the famous ByWard Market, Major’s Hill Park provides an oasis of green with river views, lookouts and walking trails. The cherry trees stand along Mackenzie Avenue. The scene is breathtaking when the tulips are also in full bloom with the Notre Dame Cathedral in the background.
Location: Mackenzie Avenue, Ottawa
Niagara Region
There’s no shortage of charm in Ontario’s most established wine region, with quaint Victorian architecture, foodie-forward communities and vast, scenic vineyards. The subtle aroma and pretty shades of white, pink and red of cherry, apple and other fruit trees in blossom make spring a magical time to visit.
And if you wish to pair wine tasting with blossom spotting, there are some cherry trees to view at Pillitteri Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Legends Estate Winery in Beamsville and The Foreign Affair Winery in Vineland.
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
The sprawling grounds at the Botanical Gardens feature formal and manicured gardens, a distinguished Victorian rose garden, an extensive herb section and peaceful walking paths and trails.
The magnolia trees are a highlight from early to mid-May, followed immediately by the cherry tree blossoms near the entrance in mid to late May. Park entrance is free but there is a parking fee.
Location: 2565 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls
Queenston Heights Park
Marking the site of the War of 1812 Battle of Queenston Heights on the Niagara Escarpment, this riverside park is home to several monuments, including the Landscape of Nations commemorating Six Nations.
The park is also a great spot to relax and enjoy a walk, especially on a warm spring day when the cherry trees are in bloom in front of the Laura Secord Monument and near the Queenston Heights Restaurant.
Location: 14184 Niagara Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake
McFarland Park
Connected to the Niagara River Recreation Trail, McFarland Park features a walking trail, a playground and a picnic pavilion. The park is located along the Niagara River, just south of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
On the grounds is McFarland House, one of the oldest buildings in the region and a great spot to enjoy a cup of tea and admire the floral display from the tea room.
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Renowned for a plethora of waterfalls, as well as nature trails along the Niagara Escarpment, outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy the sight of cherry tree blossoms each spring at several parks and gardens throughout this region.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Spring marks the start of the blossoming season at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The largest flowering cherry tree collection is located just south of the lilac dell at the Arboretum. Other locations of Sakura cherry blossoms are at the Rock Garden and scattered throughout the terraces of Laking Garden overlooking Grindstone Creek.
Locations:
680 Plains Road West, Burlington
16 Old Guelph Road, Hamilton
Spencer Smith Park
Overlooking Lake Ontario along downtown Burlington’s shoreline, the picturesque grounds of Spencer Smith feature a boardwalk, pier, playground and Japanese-inspired garden. The Sakura trees come to life with cherry blossoms in the spring.
Burlington’s grove of cherry trees was gifted from its twin city in Japan, Itabashi.
Location: 1400 Lakeshore Road, Burlington
Gairloch Gardens
The pond, brook and formal gardens with lovely roses make this small waterfront park a popular spot for wedding photos. The park and walking path are especially pretty during the spring blossom season.
The former private estate is home to a Tudor-style heritage residence which now serves as one of two locations for Oakville Galleries.
Location: 1308 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville
Bayfront Park
Just minutes from downtown Hamilton, on the waterfront, the entrance pathway to Bayfront Park is lined with Sakura trees that were donated from Japan over 20 years ago.
Location: 200 Harbour Front Drive, Hamilton
Gage Park
The Tropical Greenhouse and incredible gardens, including a substantial rose garden, make Gage Park a favourite for gardeners and photographers. Among the large selection of trees are some Sakura located behind the greenhouse that also draws a crowd of admirers each spring.
Location: 1000 Main Street East, Hamilton
Cherry blossom blooms only last for a few short weeks. Start planning your visit to one of these locations in early Spring.
Last updated: March 14, 2024